Senegal blunder after great comeback

Michael Kenrick , 4 August, 7comments | Jump to most recent

Magaye Gueye was initially on the subs bench again for Senegal's first knock-out match at the London Olympics where they take on Mexico for a semi-final place against Japan.

Mexico took a shock lead inside 10 minutes, forcing Senegal to come at them with some great attacking football, but Carouna in the Mexico goal made a couple of tremendous saves to keep the West Africans at bay.

Comical defending saw Senegal gift Mexico a poor second goal that would make the task very difficult. But Konate would put them right back in it with 20 mins left after a superb run down the wing and pinpoint cross from Souare. Magaye Gueye then came on for Ciss.

Then off a brilliant Souare corner, Balde the substitute powered in a fantastic header to draw level, sending the game into extra time. But more crazy defending from Senegal put Papa Gueye in trouble, allowing Mexico to regain the lead.

More utterly farcical defending in the second period of extra time by Senegal gifted the Mexicans another goal that wrapped things up and at least saved us from penalties.

Reader Comments (7)

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Ian Barker
1 Posted 04/08/2012 at 20:32:41

I had the pleasure of being at the match today.

I have been quite dissappointed with Magaye's development. He has a really good natural physique & a really nice delivery but, like to many of our 'wide players, does not have the ability to beat a man and looks to pass backwards & square rather than to go fowards.

He is another one (along with Rodwell, Coleman, Vellios, Anichebe) who are not that young and need to step up.

It's hard not to like him as he has really good technical ability... but equally he will not score enough to play upfront and is not quick enough to be a out and out wide player.

Mark Griffiths
2 Posted 04/08/2012 at 21:02:13

I went to Old Trafford today to watch Japan tear apart Egypt and Japan's No 7 Yuki Otsu really stood out for a youngster. As I watched, I thought how much I would love to see him at Everton: great control, vision, touch, bit of pace, can beat a player and has an eye for goal. He is an attacking midfielder who last year signed for Borussia MG.

A great little player! Wonder if we have watched him?

Shaun Lyon
3 Posted 05/08/2012 at 00:36:26

I too was at the match today and have to be honest - I didn't register Gueye at all. Souare was the player who impressed me, very much in the Baines mould (not wishing to tempt fate here) if very one-footed. Some great crosses and corners from him, leading to certainly one, if not both goals.

Dick Fearon
4 Posted 05/08/2012 at 00:45:10

Magaye reminds me of someone, I wonder who? He is skilled though slow, lousy in the air, easily knocked off the ball, a watcher more than a doer, not someone to rely on when the going gets tough. His shooting lacks direction and power and goes missing in action to the point of being invisible.
Might benefit from a years loan to a Championship side.

Ajay Gopal
5 Posted 05/08/2012 at 06:42:45

Mark Griffiths (800) - you mention all of the young Japanese player's qualities.

David Moyes will ask you 1 question - "Does he track back?" ...;-)

Mark Griffiths
6 Posted 05/08/2012 at 09:42:37

Ajay, he did track back, he was all over the place as were a number of their players who worked really hard. One of the best young players I have seen for a while!

Jim Knightley
7 Posted 05/08/2012 at 16:28:45

Was also at the match, and Souare looks a real talent, although I'm not so sure about his defensive capacity (I think he would be better as a left mid).

I don't really think Gueye looks good enough, I can't imagine him making a first team impact anytime soon. Konate also looks superb...great in the air, quick and a very nice finisher. Was a big threat in the Uruguay game I was at as well, and I doubt he would cost much over 1million.

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